- Germany is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with a population of 82 million among which 15 million people are of non-German descent.
- There are over 150 castles in Germany.
- The Christmas tree (Tannenbaum) tradition came from Germany.
- Beers
There are 1,300 beer breweries in Germany, nearly four times as many as all the other countries in the EU combined, making some 5,000 kinds of beer. German people are the world's third biggest beer drinkers after the Czechs and Austria.
This love affair is truly made manifest during a span between late September and early October, when Oktoberfest is celebrated in Munich. Millions from around the world flock to the city to take part in the spectacle, where girls in dirndl dresses serve very strong beer in Maßkrug one-liter mugs. Perhaps not surprisingly, this excessive consumption can lead to problems, such as people fighting or passing out from intoxication. Those given to such massive overindulgence are dubbed Bierleichen (beer corpses).
- Germany is one of the last Western European countries not to have banned smoking in workplaces, and restaurants.
One of the political reason for this is that the Nazi officially frowned on smoking, and post-war German legislators have been afraid of imitating Nazi regulations. - The oldest sun observatory currently known in Europe is the so-called Goseck circle in Saxony-Anhalt. It was built some 7,000 years ago.
- Ulm Cathedral is the tallest church in the world, with 161.53 metres (530 feet) in height.
- The German Autobahn
It is the oldest motorway network in the world (first section completed in 1932), as well as one of the densest (12,000 km for a country of 357,021 km²). It is also the only one in Europe to have no general speed limit. 65% of the Autobahn (highway) has no speed limit. The federal expressways of Germany are known for one thing—their lack of speed limit. With the exception of certain areas, such as those under construction, the entire network of highways operates under an unenforced advisory limit of 130 kph (81 mph). Studies have shown that despite the potential for recklessness, the average driver clocks in around 140 kph (87 mph). Germany is, however, the home of several high-performance automobile manufacturers, like Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, and BMW, and it is not uncommon to see vehicles traveling in excess of 240 kph (150 mph). While accidents are comparatively rare on the autobahn, any crash at such a speed is catastrophic.
- Holocaust Denial
It is quite understandable that the people of Germany wish to put the darkest parts of their history behind them. But there is a vast difference between moving on and forgetting. While the Nazis were conquered and the concentration camps liberated nearly 70 years ago, there are still many people alive who remember the tragedy of those days. Despite the vast preponderance of evidence, many even claim that the Holocaust never happened. This is a crime in 17 countries, including Germany. Penalties can include fines and even prison time. Even performing the Seig Heil Nazi salute in Germany can earn you three years behind bars
- Wedding Abductions
In rural sections of Germany, the bride is often “kidnapped” by friends prior to the wedding, forcing the groom to hunt for her. Typically, she is moved between a series of taverns. The husband-to-be buys his friends rounds of beer as he searches for his fiance. It is not unheard of for this ritual to devolve into drunken chaos.
References:
http://www.eupedia.com/germany/trivia.shtml
http://truenomads.com/2013/04/interesting-facts-about-germany/
http://listverse.com/2013/07/21/ten-fascinating-facts-about-germany/